Benefits of Working with an Obstetrician for Family Planning

Having children and building a family is a big step in life — one that shouldn't be taken lightly. Family planning is the method many couples use to determine how many children they want and how long they'd like to wait between each birth.

Contraception, or birth control, is an essential aspect of family planning between your wanted pregnancies. With so many options available, you need to look to an experienced obstetrician for birth control needs, advice on the birthing process, and other vital components of reproductive health.

At Prudent Medical Providers, our team understands the need for medical specialists in each patient's life, so we’re happy to provide referrals.

Sarah Phillips, DNP, APRN, and Jorein Teves, MSN, ARNP, FNP-C, offer various primary care options and referrals at their Federal Way, Washington, practice.

Understanding family planning

You probably remember growing up and dreaming of what your life would be like someday — including how many kids you wanted to have. Now you’re faced with that same scenario, but in real time.

Family planning means you and your partner decide when to start trying to have children, how many you'd like to have, and the time between each pregnancy. It's a vital aspect of any couple or person during the reproductive years.

But family planning isn't just about getting pregnant, the pregnancy, and birth — it's also about preventing pregnancy with birth control and sexually transmitted infections in the interim.

Because there are so many aspects to growing your family or preventing more pregnancies, it's essential to see an obstetrician for your specific needs and goals.

What is an obstetrician?

An obstetrician is a specialty doctor who cares for women before, during, and postpartum during their reproductive years. They address pregnancy-related health concerns to ensure you and your baby are safe and healthy.

You can start seeing an obstetrician when you're ready to plan your family. They assist you with your specific needs and any obstacles you may face when trying to get pregnant or during your pregnancy.

Your obstetrician monitors you during pregnancy and fields any complications during the process. They’re responsible for other aspects of your health as well, such as:

• Prenatal care and screenings
• Ultrasounds, bloodwork, and lab testing
• Measuring the baby's growth and size
• Looking for congenital problems
• Treating complications during pregnancy
• Providing care for health issues related to pregnancy

Your obstetrician helps you develop a birth plan and assists you during labor and the baby's delivery. You will also be in close contact with your obstetrician during the first six weeks after delivering your baby for essential postpartum care.

The importance of an obstetrician

Seeing an obstetrician instead of simply coming to our office is vital for a healthy pregnancy. Although Sarah and Jorien have the knowledge to help, they don't specialize specifically in obstetrics, which is what you need when planning a family.

Our team gets you started when you're ready to begin having kids, but we refer you to an obstetrician to help you address specific concerns, such as reproductive issues or medical problems that could pose a risk during pregnancy.

It's also essential to see an obstetrician for family planning because they monitor you throughout the pregnancy and the weeks after birth. Your OB diagnoses and treats various pregnancy-related conditions, such as:

• Preeclampsia and high blood pressure
• Gestational diabetes
• Miscarriages
• Ectopic pregnancies
• Placental emergencies
• Morning sickness or nausea
• General aches and pains
• Genetic abnormalities

Your obstetrician follows you closely during pregnancy. They provide routine ultrasounds, medications, and screenings before and during the pregnancy to ensure you and your baby are healthy.

Between pregnancies or when you're done having kids, your OB helps you decide on a birth control option that's best for your needs. Whether you want something you don't have to worry about on a daily basis, like an intrauterine device (IUD), or you're ready for permanent sterilization, your OB has the tools to give you the best advice.

If you need a referral to an obstetrician for family planning, don't hesitate to call Prudent Medical Providers today in Federal Way or request an appointment using our convenient online scheduling tool.